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CASE goes big at CONEXPO: 40+ machines signal push toward electric and smarter equipment

Written By Sarah Poirier

CASE Construction Equipment arrived at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 with one of its largest showings in years. The company is showcasing a whopping 40+ machines on the show floor—nearly 20 of which are brand new or have been thoroughly overhauled, ranging from compact excavators to massive earthmovers. The overall vibe illustrated CASE’s take on where the construction industry is headed: cleaner power options, upgraded operator technology, and machines designed to withstand the toughest jobs with minimal downtime. For anyone walking the showroom floor, the display offered a clear message. Equipment manufacturers are pushing toward smarter machines that help crews work faster while simplifying operations for new operators entering the workforce.

D Series mini excavators expand compact jobsite options

CASE CX380 mini excacator

Compact equipment continues to play a major role on construction sites where space is limited. CASE has added several new options to its D Series mini excavator lineup to help contractors with residential, utility, landscaping, and site prep jobs. The D Series is all about making these machines easy to swing through tight spaces without sacrificing digging power, and for contractors working in the city, these are often the only option. 

They also offer updated hydraulics and improved operator controls. CASE has put serious thought into the cab layout and control response, making these machines a snap to operate, even on the longest days. When you’re working in the city, precision is what matters most, and these little machines are built to deliver.

D Series new mini excavators:

  • CX30D
  • CX34D
  • CX38D

D Series improvements:

  • Zero-tail swing design for tight urban and residential jobsites
  • Updated hydraulic systems for stronger digging performance
  • Redesigned operator cab with improved visibility and ergonomics
  • Automotive-style operator controls for easier operation
  • Simplified maintenance access to reduce service downtime

E Series excavators grow with midi and full-size models

All-new CASE CX70E midi excavator
Photo courtesy of Maie

Alongside the mini excavators, CASE expanded its E Series excavator lineup with new midi and full-size machines. Midi excavators fill a gap between compact machines and full-size excavators. They offer stronger lifting capability and digging depth while remaining small enough to work in confined areas. This makes them useful on utility installations, road repairs, and small commercial projects.

Full-size E Series excavators handle larger earthmoving tasks, including mass excavation, foundation digging, and material loading. Contractors often depend on these machines for productivity on larger jobs where cycle time matters.

CASE focused on improving hydraulic response and machine balance. Those improvements allow operators to perform precise movements while handling heavier loads. The machines are also designed to work with a wide range of attachments—buckets, breakers, grapples, and compactors allow a single excavator to perform multiple tasks on a jobsite.

E Series excavators:

  • CX70E – new midi excavator
  • CX145E SR – new short-radius excavator
  • CX255E SR – new short-radius excavator

Models with improvements:

  • CX220E 
  • CX380E 

E Series improvements:

  • Improved hydraulic response for more precise digging and lifting
  • Better machine balance for smoother operation under heavy loads
  • CASE Assist technology for automated excavation functions
  • Payload system for real-time bucket weighing
  • Height and depth limit controls to prevent over-digging
  • Updated 10-inch touchscreen display for machine monitoring
  • Compatibility with multiple attachments, such as breakers, grapples, and compactors

G Series wheel loaders bring power and versatility

Updated CASE 621G wheel loader

Wheel loaders remain one of the most versatile machines in construction. CASE used CONEXPO 2026 to highlight updates to its G Series wheel loaders, machines built for material handling in construction, quarry, and aggregate environments. Wheel loaders handle everything from moving soil and gravel to feeding crushers and loading haul trucks. Performance depends heavily on lifting strength, hydraulic speed, and operator visibility.

The G Series lineup focuses on improving those areas. Updated cab designs offer improved visibility around the machine, while hydraulic systems provide greater breakout force for digging into dense materials. For contractors who move large volumes of material each day, these improvements translate into faster loading cycles and less strain on equipment.

New models: 

  • 321G – brand-new compact wheel loader
  • 421G – recently launched compact wheel loader shown at CONEXPO 2026

Models with improvements:

  • 521G
  • 621G
  • 651G
  • 721G
  • 821G
  • 921G
  • 1021G
  • 1121G

G series improvements:

  • AutoDig automated loading system
  • Rear object detection for better safety
  • Premium heated and ventilated seats
  • Optional hydrostatic CVT transmission on the 1021G and 1121G
  • Four-corner strobe lighting system on the 651G for jobsite visibility

Electric power arrives with the TL100EV

Electric construction equipment continues to gain attention across the industry. CASE showcased the TL100EV electric mini track loader, a battery-powered machine designed for contractors working in noise-sensitive or indoor environments. Electric compact loaders eliminate diesel emissions and reduce noise levels, which can be important on projects near occupied buildings, hospitals, or urban infrastructure. Indoor demolition and facility maintenance are two areas where electric machines can be particularly useful.

The TL100EV still delivers the performance expected from a compact track loader. Contractors can use attachments such as buckets, forks, and augers for material handling, grading, and site preparation. Electric machines also reduce certain maintenance tasks tied to diesel engines, such as fuel systems and exhaust components. For contractors running multiple machines, lower maintenance requirements can make a noticeable difference in long-term operating costs.

N Series crawler dozers preview future development

Another highlight at the CASE exhibit was the preview of N Series crawler dozers, machines still under development but shown to give contractors an early look at what’s coming next. Crawler dozers remain a core machine for earthmoving projects. They handle grading, land clearing, and large-scale site preparation. Contractors rely on them to push and shape soil across large areas.

The upcoming N Series dozers are expected to feature updated operator environments and machine controls designed to make grading work more precise. Modern dozers increasingly incorporate technology such as grade control and telematics systems that track machine performance and maintenance needs.

N Series crawler dozers:

  • 650N
  • 750N
  • 850N

N Series improvements:

  • Updated operator cab environment with touchscreen controls
  • Seat-mounted machine controls for improved comfort
  • Improved visibility around the blade and machine perimeter
  • Integrated machine control technology for grading work
  • EcoMode and auto-idle shutdown for fuel management
  • Updated telematics and machine monitoring systems

Expanding into larger grader power classes

CASE also announced an expansion of its motor grader lineup, entering the 200-plus horsepower segment for the first time. Motor graders are essential for road building and maintenance projects. Larger-horsepower machines allow contractors to handle larger grading operations and heavier workloads.

The move into higher-horsepower categories allows CASE to compete on projects that require powerful graders for large-scale road construction and infrastructure work. Contractors working on highway projects or major site developments are looking for additional power, which translates into stronger performance when shaping and finishing road surfaces.

Technology and electrification take center stage

Across the CASE display, the machines told a broader story about where construction equipment is heading. Manufacturers are paying close attention to operator experience, especially as the industry faces a shortage of experienced workers. Simpler controls, improved cab environments, and digital systems that help monitor machine performance all help make equipment easier to operate.

Electric machines are also gaining ground. While diesel engines still dominate heavy construction equipment, battery-powered compact machines are becoming more common on certain types of projects.

CASE’s lineup at CONEXPO 2026 reflected both of these trends. Contractors saw familiar machine types—excavators, loaders, and dozers—combined with new technology to improve performance and usability.

If you want more coverage of construction equipment launches and the technology shaping modern jobsites, subscribe to the Under the Hard Hat newsletter to stay informed about the machines and tools driving the industry forward.

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